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Friday, March 30, 2007

Service Pit bull Dog-Napped and held for Ransom

Buster was STOLEN and then held for RANSOM by a slimball in Philly, the 'City of Brotherly Love' MY ASS!!

Best Friends Network Story Heartbreaker! <~click for more pictures

March 30, 2007 : 12:00 AM
By Randi Bildner, Best Friends Animal Society

A crime was committed - a theft; one with more than your typical ramifications.

In the eyes of the law, a dog is considered property. Sad but true. Law or no law, this is not the sentiment of Jim and Chris Kelly who live in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia.

Buster, a member of the family, loyal companion, and assistance dog to wheelchair-bound Chris Kelly (a victim of Spina Bifida), was stolen. Buster was taken away from life with his family and they are desperately trying to get him back.

March 16th was a snowy evening. Buster (a three year old pit bull mix) was eagerly waiting for his pal Chris to come home. Joe Kelly, Chris's dad was waiting too. As Chris struggled to get in the front door Buster slipped out. Excited to see the fresh snow that had fallen, he ran down the street. Mr. Kelly did not bother to grab a coat as he ran after him. In a matter of minutes, he heard someone yell, your dog has been stolen. Before Mr. Kelly knew what was going on, someone approached Buster and simply took him.

This is just the very beginning of this sad strange crime that has yet to be resolved. Mr. Kelly lost sight of the person or persons who saw this happen and no one has come forward to provide a description of the perpetrator. Devastated, the Kellys did not know what to do; a police report was filed.

The following day

Buster was wearing his rabies tag which enabled the thief to locate his veterinarian. Two phone calls were made that day. A heavily accented man called the Kelly’s veterinarian and then proceeded by calling the Kelly home. The man said that he had Buster and wanted to know how much money the Kellys would be willing to give him in order to get their dog back.

A flustered Mr. Kelly hesitantly said fifty, a-hundred dollars. The following day after a report by Doug Shimell of WCAU, a local television station, aired the story, the man called the Kelly’s again, now demanding $500 and spewing threats that included, "I can take this dog and sell it to people who want to use him in fighting-type situations with other dogs."

An outpouring of love came as a result of the news story. People sent well wishes, prayers and donations, enabling the Kellys to raise the money for Buster's ransom. But the thief has yet to call back, the last word coming on March 22, 2007.

Cpl. Lou Sytsma, of the 24th police district, was sympathetic to the crime, he stated, "The best you can hope for is a neighbor that sees the dog or someone that lives in the area where the dog might be and they call and give a tip." Cpl Sytsma has his officers armed with flyers showing Buster’s photo and has informed them to be on the look out for the dog.

Philadelphia experienced its highest murder rate in over a decade in 2006, with 400 plus murders in and around the city. This bleak news for The City of Brotherly Love is not good sign for Buster and the Kellys. The reality is, with the statistics reported above, it is very hard to believe that Buster's theft is a priority.

Buster has been a member of the Kelly family for 14 months. In that time he has formed a close bond to Chris Kelly 32, who is wheelchair-bound. According to the elder Kelly, Buster has learned to guide Chris when he uses a chair lift to reach the second floor of their home. Mr. Kelly states, “Buster goes up the steps and walks alongside the chair. He also said that the dog was constantly by his son’s side.

Chris Kelly justifiably said, "It hurt me. It's my dog, and that he would take something from someone who is in a wheelchair -- it just angers me."

The Kellys are praying that somewhere within the person who took Buster there must be a conscience and an understanding of the pain he has caused.

Hopefully this person will reach very deep into his soul, (if he has one) and realize what he has done. He has not stolen not a piece of property (as the law would indicate) but a very important member of a family, whose one wish is that their dog will be brought back to them, safe and sound.

The value listed on the police report for the “property” stolen is $200.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

It's Just a Dog

From time to time people tell me, "Lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "That's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and, in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person.

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me, and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile.... because they "just don't understand."

- Anonymous

Monday, March 26, 2007

Super Pet Expo

This past weekend was the Super Pet Expo in Chantilly, Virginia. We've gone every year for the past 4 yrs, with or without a dog. LOL

This year, as with last year, we took Angus, or Little Man.

He didn't do as well this year as he did last. But then he's coming into his own and can be pretty intense as far as a Pit bull can go. He LOVES people, but is becoming unsure about other animals. :( We had hoped he'd be just a normal Pittie puppy.

We've already begun the search for a Schutzhund trainer in our area. I don't necessarily want the bite/protection work, but the focus of it's Obedience program, which can be seriously very stern.

I have pictures of the Expo, I'll be updating here tomorrow night hopefully. :D The other half isn't all about snapping photos as I am. I have an antique trunk full to the brim with puppy pictures. :D

I'll update soon on Angus' training as well. He's doing great around the house, still very focused on the neighbor's feral cat population, but we are working on 'leave it' and 'ignore' and he's moving right along. We begin running together here next week, man alive, that dog has more energy than I've ever encountered.

Have a wonderful week and we'll be seeing you later.

Friday, March 23, 2007

East Coast Element Meetup in the Works!!!


Anyone who is a fanatic about their E knows all about the Element Owners Club or the EOC online. The EOC is nearly 16,000 members strong and growing every day.

EOC held their 1st National Meet in East Liberty, OH. A sort of 'Coming Home' for the Element. The Honda Factory greeted us, hosted a luncheon for us and then shared an afternoon of great conversation and photo opts. *I'll update with photos later this week* That was June of 2005.

Last year the National Meet was held in St. Louis, Missiouri, where they attended a ballgame at the new stadium and visited the St. Louis Arch just to name a few things. Oh, and during the 1st Meet, a group called the "Misfits" was created, I've heard the storied that came out of the 2nd Meet and they can't be repeated in public. LOLOL
This years National Meet is being held in Las Vegas, NV - Sin City and I can say without a doubt, any Misfits attending this year, Oh Lordy the stuff that will go on in a city whose moto is "What happens in Vegas - Stays in Vegas". LMAO! :D


So, since this 3rd Annual National Meet is pretty far away for us East Coasters, we've began work on setting up a East Coast National Meet. Really, anyone is invited to attend. The more the merrier! I'll update as things move along, but for anyone interested, here's the link to the EOC board: http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/index.php

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Long Over Due Update

Wow, I haven't updated this blog since November of last year. Boy do I have a lot to go over. I'll do my best to catch every one up, but should I miss something or someone, I'm truly sorry.. RL has totally gotten in the way here lately.

What with working on Schutzhund and weight pulling with Angus and Planning an East Coast Honda Element meet for Ocean City in July, I've found myself right back in the mix of RL and the Internet.

Much love to you all! Peace and happiness. Don't let CL drag you down, you are better than that.